How to Prepare for a Spray Tan

The Cowtown Tanning guide to what to do before your airbrush tan for smooth, even, longer-lasting results.

If there's one thing we want every client to know before their appointment, it's this: your spray tan starts before we ever pick up the spray gun.

Proper spray tan prep can make a major difference in how evenly your airbrush tan develops, how natural it looks, and how well it fades over the days that follow.

At Cowtown Tanning, we'll take care of customizing and applying your airbrush tan. Your job? Give us the best possible canvas to work with.

Here's exactly how we recommend preparing for your Cowtown Tanning appointment.

24–48 Hours Before Your Spray Tan: Exfoliate

Exfoliation is one of the most important steps in preparing for a spray tan.

Sunless tanning solution develops on the outermost layer of your skin. If you have areas of excess dry or dead skin, your spray tan may develop darker in those areas or begin fading unevenly.

We recommend thoroughly exfoliating 24–48 hours before your appointment, paying extra attention to:

• Elbows
• Knees
• Ankles
• Heels
• Hands
• Wrists
• Any particular dry areas

The goal is to remove old sunless tan and excess dead skin so your spray tan artist has a clean, even canvas for your new application.

Cowtown Tip: Don't Overdo It

More exfoliation isn't always better.

Aggressively scrubbing your skin immediately before your spray tan can leave it irritated or sensitive. We recommend doing your thorough exfoliation ahead of time and allowing your skin to settle before your appointment.

If you currently have an old spray tan or self tanner on, make sure you've removed as much of the previous tan as possible before coming in. Applying new spray tan solution over an uneven previous tan can create inconsistent results and uneven fading.

When Should You Shave Before a Spray Tan?

At Cowtown Tanning, we recommend shaving at least 12–24 hours before your spray tan appointment whenever possible - typically the evening before your session.

Shaving exfoliates the skin in addition to removing hair. Doing it ahead of time allows your skin to calm down before your airbrush tan is applied.

If you need to shave closer to your appointment, don't panic. Just let your spray tan artist know when you arrive.

Cowtown Product Tip

When shaving, we recommend avoiding heavy shaving creams or products that can leave a residue on the skin.

Our Cowtown Tanning Sunless-Safe Body Wash can also be used while shaving and is formulated with sunless tanning in mind, making it an easy addition to your spray tan prep and aftercare routine.

What About Waxing?

If you're planning to wax, schedule it at least 24–48 hours before your spray tan.

Waxing immediately before an airbrush tan can leave the skin sensitive and may leave behind product residue that interferes with how your spray tan develops.

This includes body waxing as well as facial waxing if your face will be sprayed.

What Should You Avoid Before a Spray Tan?

For your appointment, we want your skin clean, dry, and as product-free as possible.

Before coming to Cowtown Tanning, avoid applying:

• Body lotion
• Body oil
• Deodorant
• Perfume
• Heavy body creams
• Makeup on areas being sprayed

These products may create a barrier between your skin and the spray tan solution, which can interfere with development.

Should You Moisturize Before a Spray Tan?

This is where timing matters.

Keeping your skin consistently hydrated in the days leading up to your appointment is great for your spray tan. Healthy, hydrated skin generally provides a better canvas for sunless tanning and results in longer lasting results.

But we don't recommend applying body lotion immediately before your appointment unless your Cowtown spray tan artist specifically tells you otherwise.

Instead, moisturize regularly leading up to your appointment, then arrive with clean, product-free skin. Don't put any products on your skin after your prep shower. 

We'll apply any necessary barrier products to areas like your hands, feet, elbows, knees, or other dry areas as part of your appointment.

What Should You Wear to Your Spray Tan Appointment?

We recommend arriving with—or bringing—dark, loose-fitting clothing to wear home.

Some of our favorite post-spray-tan options include:

• Loose sweatpants
• Oversized T-shirts
• Relaxed pajamas
• Loose dresses
• Other soft, non-restrictive clothing

Avoid tight leggings, jeans, restrictive waistbands, tight bras, or anything else that may rub against your developing spray tan.

If the weather is rainy, bring shoes and clothing that keeps your skin covered and protected from water on the way home.

What Should You Wear During Your Airbrush Tan?

This part is completely up to your comfort level.

Your Cowtown spray tan artist will explain your options when you arrive, and you can choose the level of coverage you're most comfortable with.

Whatever you decide, our goal is to make the experience professional, comfortable, and completely judgment-free.

Don't Forget About Your Schedule

One of the most overlooked parts of spray tan prep has nothing to do with exfoliating.

It's planning what you're doing after your appointment.

Your airbrush tan needs time to develop, which means you'll need to avoid water, sweating, workouts, tight clothing, and other activities that could interfere with the developing solution.

When booking your Cowtown appointment, consider what's happening afterward.

If you have a workout class, pool day, pedicure, massage, or anything else that involves water, friction, or sweating, schedule those activities before your spray tan—not after.

Getting a Spray Tan for an Event?

For most special occasions, we recommend booking your Cowtown spray tan 1–2 days before your event.

That gives your airbrush tan time to fully develop and allows you to complete your recommended first shower before the event.

If you're preparing for a wedding, photoshoot, vacation, prom, formal, or another important occasion, tell us. Your spray tan artist can help you determine the best appointment timing and development option for your schedule.

Your Cowtown Spray Tan Prep Checklist

Before heading to your appointment:

• Exfoliate 12-24 hours beforehand
• Remove as much old sunless tan as possible
• Shave 12–24 hours beforehand when possible
• Wax 24–48 hours beforehand
• Shower before your appointment
• Arrive with clean, dry skin
• Skip lotion, body oil, deodorant, perfume, and other barrier products post prep-shower
• Bring dark, loose-fitting clothing
• Avoid scheduling workouts, swimming, or other activities during your development time
• Tell your spray tan artist about any upcoming events or special circumstances
• Don't Stress About Getting Everything Perfect

We know there are a lot of spray tan prep rules on the internet.

You don't need to memorize all of them.

At Cowtown Tanning, your appointment starts with a consultation so we can talk through your skin, desired result, schedule, and any questions or concerns before we begin.

If you forgot to exfoliate exactly 24 hours beforehand or accidentally put on deodorant that morning, still come to your appointment. Let us know, and we'll help determine the best way to move forward.

That's part of choosing a professional custom airbrush tan: you have an actual spray tan artist there to guide you.

Ready to Book Your Spray Tan?

Cowtown Tanning provides custom airbrush tanning in Fort Worth and Parker County, Texas, with every spray tan customized to your skin tone, preferences, schedule, and desired result.

Book your Cowtown Tanning spray tan and we'll take it from there.

For more professional spray tanning advice, explore The Sunless Edit by Cowtown Tanning.